The Del Norte Warriors took another big step toward a Big 5 title with a straight sets win over McKinleyville in Crescent City on Thursday night.

They won 25-20, 25-15, 25-20 and improved to 6-0 in league play with two games remaining.

The Warriors can clinch the title with a win over the Loggers in Eureka next Thursday.

The Loggers, who had a bye on Thursday, are 4-1 in the Big 5.

Del Norte’s McKenna Curtis, who is one of this week’s HumboldtSports.com Athletes of the Week, had another big night against McKinleyville and finished with 14 kills and four digs.

Lauren Stutes added kills and two aces, while Lili Nunez had seven digs, five kills and four aces, and Bliss Blackburn had 11 digs, two aces and a kill.

Rounding out another big team performance, Reece White had six digs and a pair of kills.

The Del Norte JVs also won in two sets.

Impressive win for the Wildcats

At Ferndale, meanwhile, the Wildcats rallied from an early deficit to beat Hoopa in four sets, 22-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-19.

Kyla Albee had a huge night in the win and finished with 19 kills, 29 digs and four aces, giving her 60 digs in two league games this week.

“The team dug the ball extremely well and served consistently tonight,” assistant coach Terra Albee said. “It was a great team effort and gave us an important win in league play.”

Tia Henrikson added 15 digs, three kills and three aces, while Saige Machado finished with 10 digs, three kills and two aces.

“Our seniors really stepped it up tonight and led the way,” the coach added.

Clara Albee also had a good night and finished with 15 assists, four digs, a kill and an ace, while Jordan Soderman added 13 assists, two kills and an ace and Cate Carrizales had four digs and two aces.

Lexie Blake added five digs

For Hoopa, Tatianna Colegrove finished with a team-high 11 kills, while Nae-rew Martin had 17 assists.

“We had a hard time defending Kyla Albee tonight,” head coach Amber McCovey-Billings said. “She played great and they defended our hits well.”

Tahlia Booth also had a good night serving and hitting for the visitors and finished with four kills, while sisters Jewely and Diamond Bibancos both served well.

“All in all, as a coach I have to take the loss,” added McCovey-Billings, who had missed practice all week while sick. “These ladies are all athletic and we just gotta bounce back and move onto the next game.”

The Hoopa JVs, meanwhile, won their game in two sets.

And according to Ferndale JV coach Terra Albee, the young Cats are showing signs of improvement.

“I was pleased with how the team hit tonight,” she said. “There has been a lot of improvement on our ball control and passing also. Hoopa has a solid team that is tough to beat.”

Earlier in the week, the Ferndale JVs beat St. Bernard’s in three sets.